This Really Hurt!

The maple on the west side of the porch was compromised by the number of roots that needed to be cut for the excavation, and needed to come down. All those years to grow and it was history in less than an hour. A bucket was required because of the proximity to the raised house.

You Wouldn't Catch Me Under There - May 21/09

They started with a Bobcat under the cottage digging out dirt, and when he had gotten down far enough the Backhoe actually made his way under to remove the larger rocks and dig deeper. They got down a good 3' in the front corner. The dogs obviously think they're still in the living room.

We've Moved up in the World - May 20/09

It only took about three hours to lift the building the remaining eight feet in the air. I can't tell you how incredibly wierd the cottage looks from it's new lofty position. CDS says they've never had a building fall down - keep your fingers crossed! We can actually see about half way across the lake under the cottage. The pictures say it all.

On it's way up - May 19/09

Too late to back out now! CDS arrived early and worked hard all day. They ran into more digging than anticipated so managed to get the beams installed under the cottage and raised it about 14", but the major hoist will happen tomorrow morning. Sure looks sad. I have to keep remembering to look forward, and not back.

A few of the reasons we love it here

All Dad's Hard Work - Gone - May 12/09

They came to remove all the concrete work at the back of the cottage today and dig around the foundation in preparation for the "raising". I wonder how many hours Dad worked on that back porch? Close inspection of the back wall of the building reveals why we were having "shifting" problems inside.

Moving Day - May 9/09

The kids all arrived to help us move the final furniture to the garage and POD. We had a "last toast" to the old cottage in the empty living room.